Community

Extreme Temps: Ruth House Warming Center Offers Place to Stay

SUPERIOR, Wis. –With a severe cold spell hitting the Twin Ports in the upcoming days, Superior’s only warming center is seeing an increase in visitors. The Ruth House warming center is open every night that temps drop past 30 degrees. With an Extreme Cold Warming being issued for the northland, the warming house is encouraging people who are homeless to…

Funding Secured to Better Railroad Crossings in Northern Minnesota

NORTHERN MINNESOTA — Significant funding will look to improve safety concerns around Northern Minnesota railroad crossing. On Monday, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith announced that they were able to secure $1.8 million for providing a long-term multimodal freight solution that aims to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency along the CN rail corridor and the Midway Road (CSAH 13)…

Terese Tomanek Elected Unanimously as Duluth City Council President

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth City Councilor Terese Tomanek was unanimously selected as the new Duluth City Council president by her fellow councilors Monday, January 13. Councilor Tomanek takes over the role from Councilor Roz Randorf. Tomanek has been serving on the council for five years. She said she’s looking forward to continue to serve the people of Duluth and continue…

Local Unions back Strikers from Deer River Essentia Facility

DULUTH, Minn. — Union workers from Essentia’s facility in Deer River, picketed in Duluth on Wednesday. The workers are apart of the Service Employees International Union, but were joined today by local chapters of ASFME and the United Steel Workers. The various unions showed their support by braving the cold in front of Essentia’s 2nd Street facility. The Deer River…

UMD Unveils New Kirby Rafters

DULUTH, Minn.– UMD’s Kirby Rafters has received a makeover right on time for the start of their spring semester. The Kirby Rafters is an event center at University Minnesota Duluth that has lived many lives. Originally starting as a student lounge center, The Rafters has now transformed to a venue for small concerts karaoke and board meetings. According to UMD…

Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Reapproved as a Critical Access Hospital

UPDATE: As of Tuesday evening Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital’s status as a Critical Access Hospital was restored and will continue to care for patients as they have in the last two decades. ORIGINAL: ELY, Minn. — Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) has lost its status as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) found the…

Tickets On Sale: Musical Bingo Fundraiser Feb. 6

SUPERIOR, Wis. – If you like Bingo and supporting local musicians, there’s a perfect fundraiser happening soon. The event is called Musical Bingo.  It’s happening Thursday, Feb. 6 at Barkers Island in Superior. The Mackie Brothers will perform snippets of popular songs over the decades, instead of calling numbers.  The names of those songs are on the Bingo cards. FOX…

‘Another Door’ Shelter For Young People Opening In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– A new shelter for young adults in Duluth is receiving its final touches, and they’re eager to begin helping the community. The site is located at Peace Church and is operated by Lutheran Social Services. Another Door emergency shelter will provide short-term emergency housing for people ages 18-24. The facility is offering 12 units, equipped with beds and…

Lake Superior College and College of Saint Scholastica Students Come Back for Spring Semester

DULUTH, Minn. — It was a chilly return to the books for many college students at both Lake Superior College (LSC) and College of Saint Scholastica (CSS). Students at Lake Superior College  kicked off their semester with crafts and an ice cream sundae bar as part of their Winter Welcome Week. Throughout this first week, students can participate in carnival…

Winter Weather Safety Reminders

DULUTH, Minn.– With the Northland experiencing another cold snap there are a few things to keep in mind. The seasonal snowfall brought in a wave of customers checking out equipment to handle the weather. Staff at Marshall Hardware in Duluth informed FOX 21 about the importance of stocking up on the right winter gear. These items including plastic window covers,…

Outdoor Trails Ready for Winter Activities

DULUTH, Minn.– Outdoor staff and enthusiasts alike are breathing a sigh of relief because ski trails are finally usable. The trails are finally up and running, because they were finally groomed Monday morning. Following the weekend snow, the trails are ready for mountain biking, snowshoeing, and skiing. Being able to offer these activities after having a disappointing winter season is…

Friends of the Fitz Group Aims to Honor Edmund Fitzgerald’s Last Port of Call in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — 2025 marks 50 years since the Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Lake Superior, and a group in Superior, Wisconsin is hoping to place a historical marker to honor the ship. On New Year’s Day, Superior Mayor Jim Paine proclaimed 2025 as “Year of the Fitz,” marking five decades since the sinking of the renowned freighter. And this year…

Bent Paddle Brewing Participates in Dry January

DULUTH, Minn.– While many people are ringing in the new year with a toast to ‘Dry January,’ Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth is tapping into the trend, offering something for everyone. Bent Paddle Brewing has been embracing inclusivity since 2018 with their ‘Canna-products’ lineup. From THC sodas and seltzers to gummies, they’re offering a unique twist on your favorite beverages….

Smooth Sailing for Duluth Port Authority’s 2024 Season

DULUTH, Minn.– The 2024 shipping season was apparently smooth sailing for the Duluth Port Authority. Duluth Port Authority officials told FOX 21, Through the end of November, import and export tonnage was nearly 30 percent ahead of last season. It has also been a good year for grain, specifically wheat, being one of the port’s leading export cargos. The port…

MN and WI Volunteers Aid Wildfire Recovery

DULUTH, Minn. — Red Cross Volunteers from Minnesota and Wisconsin are helping recovery efforts in California from historic wildfires. Volunteers have been quick to respond to the recent wildfires that have decimated parts of Los Angeles County. The Northern Minnesota Red Cross announced that some of their volunteers are already on the ground in the effected areas. The Minnesota’s Director…

Duluth Mayor’s Girlfriend Speaks Out After Being Cleared Of Any Political Wrongdoing

DULUTH, Minn. — An outside investigation has concluded Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert and his girlfriend, Amber Gurske, acted legally and ethically with city business during Reinert’s first four months in office.  And for the first time, Gurske spoke to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Thursday to talk about it all. (Video of the full interview at the bottom of this story)…

Hibbing HRA Receives 26 Million Dollar Grant for Workforce Housing

HIBBING, Minn.– Millions of dollars is heading to Hibbing, to go towards a brand-new housing development. This project tackles the need for quality and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. The new development will replace the current 52 units at the Greenhaven Apartments, which were built in 1952. The goal of all of this, is to address problems related…

Mid Range Honor Guard Honors Former President Jimmy Carter

HIBBING, Minn.– City of Hibbing first responders and veterans gathered today in remembrance of Former President Jimmy Carter. The Mid-Range Honor Guard gave military honors for Jimmy Carter. The remembrance took place at the Hibbing City Hall. Hibbing Fire and Police, as well as citizens attended the ceremony. The guard gave the 21-gun salute, and taps was played as well….

Hibbing Fire Department Purchases New Aerial Apparatus Truck

HIBBING, Minn.– Since 1994, the Hibbing Fire Department has relied on their big yellow apparatus truck to help them out with emergencies. But now, in the coming years, they will welcome a new aerial apparatus to join their fleet of trucks. The 1.9-million-dollar truck will take around two years to get manufactured. The truck will be built over in Wyoming…

Renew Thrift Store Opens in Morgan Park

DULUTH, Minn. — The Renew Church is expanding its reach, now helping to renew some wardrobes in the Morgan Park neighborhood. The pastor of the church is the brains behind the new Renew Thrift Store which will offer a mix of items — including free non-perishable food and gently used clothing. “Eventually we want to open up a drop off…

Study on ATV Tourism Revenue

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA — ATV Riders are bringing in the big bucks to Northeastern Minnesota according to a University of Minnesota study. In collaboration with the Northeastern ATV Joint Powers Board, researchers from the University of Minnesota has been collecting data on trail traffic through surveys and tracking where riders spend their money. The study found that in 2023, Riders spent…

Hockey Day Cloquet Rink Received Finishing Touches

CLOQUET, Minn. — Veteran’s Park in Cloquet is getting its final glaze of ice for “Hockey Day Cloquet” this weekend. It’s an eight day tournament highlighting hockey players from Cloquet all the way up north to the Iron Range, and as far south as Sartell. More than 50 volunteers and community business owners helped make this rink possible. Construction began…

UPDATE: Superior Police Say Missing Superior Man Found Safe

UPDATE: Superior Police say Richard Elliot was found safe Thursday. ORIGINAL POST: SUPERIOR, Wis./DULUTH, Minn. – The Superior Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Richard Elliot, age 62.  On Wednesday, January 8, Elliot left for work in Duluth, Minn. After work Elliot went to a church in Duluth and then to the Duluth Transit Authority where he…

Wonder Wednesdays at Great Lakes Aquarium

DULUTH, Minn.– Aquatic enthusiasts are fighting that midweek slump feeling by participating in this weekly winter event. Wonder Wednesdays is a winter long event put on by the Great Lakes Aquarium. They’re offering admission reduced to six dollars all day every Wednesday It’s giving both kids and adults the opportunity to warm up and enjoy the exhibits. There are also…

Hermantown Awarded $950,000 For Trails System

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– The City of Hermantown is going to be seeing some big changes to their trails system in the coming years. Earlier this week, it was announced that the city has been awarded a $950,000 grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to continue development of the Hermantown Connector Trail System. These trails are a part…

Women’s Care Center Giving Away Baby Formula

Courtesy of Women’s Care Center  DULUTH, Minn.–The Women’s Care Center in Duluth is giving away baby formula powder that is expiring in April 2025. The nonprofit organization posted on their Facebook page, acknowledging their overabundance of formula. They are encouraging the community to take what they need during business hours. Categories: Business, Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

$11.2 Million in Federal Dollars for Lift Bridges Rehab

DULUTH, Minn. — $11.2 million in federal funding is on its way to Duluth to help rehabilitate the historic Aerial Lift Bridge. The grant is provided by the u-s department of transportation. The rehab work will include surface preparation and repainting, lead abatement, replacement of deteriorated sections, miscellaneous structural steel repairs, repairs to concrete, and replacement of the bridge sidewalks….

Tensions Between AFSCME, City Of Duluth Still Strong After Tentative Contract Agreement

DULUTH, Minn. — The potential for a historic strike by hundreds of key Duluth city workers, including the all-important plow driver, has been averted.  A tentative deal between AFSMCE Local 66 and the Mayor Roger Reinert’s administration was reached late Monday night.  And now, a vote by union members will happen next week. But on Tuesday, one day after reaching the…

Annie Harala Becomes First Woman To Chair St. Louis County Board In 20 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Board Commissioner Annie Harala has become the first woman in 20 years to serve as the county’s board chair. Harala was appointed by the board Tuesday for 2025. Harala joined the county board in 2023. Commissioner Mike Jugovich will serve as vice chair through the end of the year. Annie Harala Below is the…

Duluth’s Largest Employee Union Reaches Tentative Deal With City

The vote comes after tense negotiations that lasted months.

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s largest employee union, AFSCME Local 66, reached a tentative agreement Monday night with the city of Duluth that includes “no major concessions,” according to the union. The union announced the news to its nearly 500 members at 9 p.m. after 12 hours of “long, hard negotiations.” The tentative agreement came after historic tensions…

Limited Time: ‘Twin Ports Trailer Trash’ Free Christmas Tree Dump

DULUTH, Minn.– One person’s Christmas tree is a Duluth company’s trash. And once again, they’re helping clean up after the holidays — for free. For seven years, Twin Ports Trailer Trash has given back to the community by collecting Christmas trees at no cost. Of all people, the Grinch is involved in this operation and is responsible for much of…

Unseasonal Winter Weather Impacts Hartley Nature Center

DULUTH, Minn.– The winter programs are looking a little different this year for Hartley Nature Center, but they have several ways to overcome this. Following last year’s lack of winter, this year’s season is trailing behind with a different problem. Over the course of several weeks, many of the trails at Hartley Nature Center have developed a thick coat of…

Hermantown Granted $2-Million for New Industrial Park

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The city of Hermantown got big support from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).  The city of Hermantown was awarded $2 million to assist public utilities and streets, with enough funding to construct a new 35-acre industrial park. The new venture is being called a Hawkline Business Park and is estimated to attract over…

Essentia Health’s St. Mary’s Medical Center Top Baby Names For 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health’s St. Mary’s Medical Center released the top names Northland parents chose for their newborns in 2024. According to the office of vital records at the Minnesota Department of Health had Theo, or Theodore, be the most popular name for boys and Evelyn for girls. For the boys, Henry, Oliver, Asher, Jack, and William were popular…

Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center Welcomes First Baby Of The Year

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center welcomed to the world their first baby of 2025 just an hour after midnight. Karsyn Jones and Jacob Walker of Duluth are the proud parents of baby boy they named Jett. Jett was born at 1:07 a.m., on Wednesday morning, and weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces and was measured…

Scandia Cemetery faces eroding shoreline, requests aid

Duluth, Minn — Scandia Cemetery has been struggling with a crumbling shoreline as it creeps towards the burial plots, they are requesting funding with a proposed solution. Erosion has left many graves very close to the waterline. Fixing the problem requires stabilizing the shoreline and constructing a retaining wall to prevent further erosion. The proposed solution would be permanent. It…

Two Arrested in Connection of a Shooting on LCO Reservation

LAC COURTE OREILLIES RESVERSATION, Wis. –Two arrests have been made after a shooting on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation in Sawyer County. On Sunday, Dec. 29, the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department responded to a shooting in the area of Poppletown Road. There LCO Tribal Police found a victim with gunshot wounds who later was transported for medical attention….

Former Hermantown PTO Treasurer Sentenced After Stealing Over $100,000

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A Hermantown woman has been sentenced after stealing over $100,000 from the Hermantown Parent Teachers Organization (PTO). Trista Swanson, 44, was sentenced to three years of probation on four counts of felony theft. Swanson must also pay back the $103,017.41 that she stole from the PTO. She plead guilty to these charges in October. Swanson was the…

Miller Hill Mall Hosts Annual Hanukkah Evet

DULUTH, Minn. – Christmas may have passed on the calendar, but the holiday season was far from over at the Miller Hill Mall Sunday as they hosted a Hanukkah celebration! There was fun, food, and festive spirit; all celebrating the 8-day long Jewish holiday also known as Hanukkah. “So you know, tonight is the fifth night of Hanukkah, and we’ve…

Driver Faces 24 Charges Stemming from Cherry Bus Crash

DULUTH, Minn. – The driver, who authorities say, was distracted by her phone when she crashed into a school bus back in September, is now facing 24 charges. Svea Snickers, 19, faces 24 charges including five felonies, seventeen gross misdemeanors, and two misdemeanors, from the same crash. A criminal complaint, filed on Thursday, claims the September 12, 2024, crash between…

Chester Bowl Begins Annual Ski & Snowboarding Lessons

DULUTH, Minn.– Chester Bowl is beginning their season of lessons and teaching kids all about shredding the slopes. 120 kids participated in the first day of ski and snowboard lessons. Many of them learned the ropes on the bunny hill. Today’s lessons included skills such as using the chair lift and conquering the hills with the infamous ‘pizza and French…